John geant



Feb. 28, 1928. Re. 16,891

J. GRANT BELEASABLE SPIDER Original Filed Jan.20. 1925 Reissued Feb. 28, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHIIGR-AN'I, or LOS Aussies, CALIFORNIA.

nannies-ABLE SPIDER.

Original No. 1,580,099, dated April 6, 1926, Serial reissue filed November 15,

This invention relates to a device'for supporting casing, pipe, tubing, or like cylindrical work, and is especially adaptable for use in oil well work wherein it is desired to suspend the work from the surface. The present invention appertains to that type of suspension device known as a spider, wherein a collar is provided with a bore in which are disposed wedge slips arranged to grip and hold the workto be suspended.

It is the practice in oil well work to sup port the work by spiders, and, when it is desired to lower the work, to raise the latter to relieve the wedging action of the slips to permit withdrawal of the latter. After withdrawal ofthe slips, the work may be lowered through the collar of the spider and the slips reinserted to again grip and hold the work. The lift of a string ofcasing, pipe, ort-ubing which is commonly several thousand feet in length and is imnersed in a slush in the hole requires a force of great magnitude thereby producing a resultantstrain which often causes damage to the derrick, the supporting tools, or

the work itself.

i one which is easily inanipulatedqand may It is the primary object of this invention to provide a spider having slips which are releasable withoutrequiring lifting of the work. There are certain other details of construction whereby a durable, strong, simple, and economical structure is obtained,

be used for a variety of work. Theseobjects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a spi-' der with the collar and slips in position' holding the work;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view showingthe collar and slips in released position; I

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through a fragment of the spider body showing the lifting ring and'collar in elevation and in released position; p I Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of a section as seen on the line 5M5 11 ia Referrin more partiei'ilarly to the draw in). 3,680, filed January 20, 1925.

bolts.

1926. Serial No. 148,581.

ring 12 has its upper face indented to form teeth 14 having sloping edges 15 of lesser inclination than the opposite edges.-

Arranged to be disposed in the annular recess and resting upon the ring 12 is a collar '16'l1aving an annular projection 17 Application for i with a lower face corresponding in contour to the upper. face of ring-12. The col-. 1211? is formed with a tapered bore to receive removable wedge slips 19 provided with the usual serrated faces. It will be noted that therevis an abutment ring20 formed on the body immediately below the slips.

The collar "16 has, on diametrically op 'posite sides, pairs of spaced lugs 21 formed with registering openings to receive pins or On the body are corresponding lugs 22 in; which are pivotallymounted links 23. The links have eyes adapted to be disposed in registration with the eyesin lugs 21, when the collar is in its upper or holdingposi- -tion. Secured to thebody is a spring leaf 24 arranged to be disposed in a recess 25 in the roller 16. Pivotally secured to the leaf is a release lever 26 having a. cam end 27sarranged so that when the lever is swung into horizontal position", the cam' end 27 will be in engagement with the body and hold the leaf spring away from the latter and outof the recess 25 in collar 16. I I Suppose it is desired to hold the .work 10 in the hole, the body of the spider is placed in, position overthe hole with its collar raised to the position shown in Figs 1' and 2,v the slips being removed, and the work 10 inserted through the bore. When the work is in the proper position for supporting it, the "slips-19 are dropped into position and the weight of the pipe-released from the supporting apparatus so that the slips are 'wedged'into position and holdthe work. In the positionshown in Figs.- 1 and 2, the spring catch 24 should be in position shown in Fig. 5 thereby fielding the collar 1 6 against turning, the ends the teetli'on the extension 17 resting upon the top of the teeth on ring 12. Suppose it is now desired to release the'work from support'by the body, its collar 16 is grasped in any suitable manner, latch 24 released, .by raising handle 26 and the collar turned so that the-teeth on projection 11 and the 'ring 12 mesh, the collar moving downwardly. If

the axial movement is equal to the stretch of the pipe or tubing,..the slips will immediately release.-

However, upon further downward movementof the collar, the slips 19 engage abutment ring 20-thereby forcing the slips upwardly and releasing them from-their wedged action against the work 10. This freesthe work. If it is desired to use thedevice without employing the slip release means,its collar is placed in its upper position as shown in Figs. 1 and, 2 and links 23 are raised and locked to. lugs 21 by inserting'bolts through theregistering openings.

F rem a consideration of the foregoing de scription' it will be seen that the operation .of releasing the slips from supporting engagement with the pipe is one thatinvolves --the transfer of the weight thrust from the collar 16 to the slips 19.; lVith thej'parts in thep'osition shown in Fig'l-the slips are in operative engagement with both the pipev and the collar, and the weight thrust'of the pipe is supported through the'collar. When the 'eollar' is lowered towards the position shown in Fig. 3, the slips come into contact with abutment 20 and momenatrily the, weight thrust of the pi e is transferredto the slips alone, the weig 1t thrust being then taken solely through theslips to the abut-' ment- 20. When the weight thrust is thus taken off collar 16,-there is no-lon er any wedging action of the slips in the colar, and

i the slips therefore release the pipe. I

: ing merely on the fact that in the position v of Fig. 1 the slips should'be' far enough The distance'through which it may be de sired-"inpractice to lower the collar 16 before the downward movement of the slips .is .stopped-before'the weight thrust 'is transferred to the slipsis a matter dependabove their'limiting abutment 20 to be sure that they do notcontact with the abutment before they wedge down in collar 16 far .-*enough to grip :the pipe. properly; In practice this .clea'rancelbetween the slips and.

abutment QO'must be large enough to take care ofcommercial variations in a diameter of wellpipe'; if the well pipe'were of an accurately uniform diameter the slips could,

1 on'the limiting abutment'20. I

in the position-of Fig: 1, rest or almost-rest Considering. all these matters it will "be seen that thefunction of abutment 20 is to take the weight thrust of the. pipe on orthrough the slips alone when collar 16 is lowered, transferring that weight thrust fromv the collar to the slips; and the abut mentQO does this by limiting the downward motion of the slips with the collar, or with reference to the body relative to which the collar is movable vertically.

Iclaim: 1. Aideyice of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a. collar supported by said body so as to be raised or lowered at will with reference to-the body, wedge slips disposed in said collar for holding the work upon being forceddownwardly.in said collar, and a normally stationary abutment on said body arranged to engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the Work.

2.1K device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body a collar supported by said body,-mea-ns to raise or lower. saidcollar at will with reference tothe body, wedge slips disposed in said collar forholding the work upon being-forced downwardlyin said collar, and

a normally stationaryabutmenton said body arranged to engage said sl ps upon lowering saidcollar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to saidcollar and thereby release the work. v

r 3. A device of; the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body having a bore through which the work may be passed, a collar supported by said body so as to be raised and lowered at. will with reference-to the body,'wedge slips disposed. in said collar forgripping the'work lar, and normally stationary abutment means on said bodyarrang'edto. engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby 4..A device of the character described comprising the coiubinationof asupporting body having a borethrough whichthe work may be passed, a collar supported. by said body, means to raise or lower said collar at will with reference to the body, wedge slips lupon being forced downwardly in said 001- l to move said slips upwardly with respect .to .said collar and'thereby release the work.

disposed in'said collar for gripping the I work upon being forced downwardly in said collar and normally stationary abutment means on said body arranged to engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slipsupwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the work.

7 5. device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as -to be raised or lowered, means interposed between saidbody and collar for raising and lowering said collar on said body, wed e slips disposed .in said collar for gripping t 0 work upon being forced downwardly in said means on said body arranged to engage said slips upon lowering of. said collar, whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar to thereby release the work.

6. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as to be raised or lowered, a lifting ring interposed between said body and said collar, said collar and said ring having corresponding indentations for raising and lowering said collar on said body, wedge slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said collar, and an abutment on said body arranged to engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the a work.

7. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as to permit rotation and axial movement thereof, means interposed between said body and said collar whereby rotation of said collar will raise or lower the latter on said body, wedge slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly insaid collar, and abutment means on said body ar'ranged to engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the work.

8. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as to permit rotation and axial movement with reference to the body, a lifting ring interposed between said body and said collar, said collar and said ring having corresponding teeth with sloping sides whereby rotation of said collar will raise or lower the latter with reference to the body, wedge slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon be ing forced downwardly in said collar, and abutment means on said body arranged to engage said slips upon lowering of said collar whereby to .move said slips upwardly with respect to'said collar and thereby release the work.

9. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as.

to be raised and lowered, a lifting ring interposed between said body and said collar for raising and lowering said collar on said body, wedge slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said collar, and an annular abutment on said body registering with said slips and arranged to engage the latter upon lowering of said collar thereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the work. I

ll). Ac device of the, character described comprising the combination ofa supporting body, and a collar supported by said body so as to be raised or lowered with reference thereto, a lifting ring interposed between said body and said collar, said collar and said ring having correspondingteeth for raising and lowering said collar, wedgev slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said collar, and an annular abutment on said body registering with said slips arranged to engage the latter upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said collar and thereby release the work.

l1 .'A device of the character described comprising theicombination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as to permit rotation and axial movement with reference to the body, a lifting ring interupon being forced-downwardly in said collar and an annular abutment on said body registering with said slips and arranged to engage the latter upon lowering of said collar whereby to move said slips upwardly with respect to said'collarand thereby re lease the work.

12. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so as to be raised or lowered thereon, a lifting ring interposed between said body and said collar, said collar and said ring having corresponding indentations for raising and lowering said collar on said body, and wedge slips disposed in said collar'for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said collar. 1 g

13. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a collar supported by said body so. as to permit rotation and axial movement thereof, means interposed between said body and said collar whereby rotation of sa-idcollar will raise or lower the latter on said body, and wedge slips disposed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said collar. 1 v

14. A device of the character described comprising the combinationof a supporting body,'a collar supported by said body so to permitrotation and axial movement with reference to the body, a lifting ring inter posed between said body and'said collar, said collar and said ring having corresponding teeth with sloping sides whereby rotation of said collar will raise or lower'the latter with reference to the body, and wedge slipsdis posed in said collar for gripping the work upon being forced downwardly in said:

" collar.

comprising the combination of a supporting body, .a collar through which the work may be passed, said colla r being supported in said body for axial movement therein, wedge slips mounted in said collar, and abutment means independent of the collar j disposed below said slips so as to be engaged there b b virtue of lowerim caid collar in said body and to move the slips so as to release theirhold upon the work. p i

16. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, work supporting means including Wedge slips mounted in said body, said means being movable upwardly and downwardly with referenceto saidbody atwill, andstationary abutment means independent of the work supporting means'disposed to be engagedby said slipsby virtue of lowermg said means with reference to said body.

17. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, means including wedge slips mounted in said body, said means being movable upwardly and downwardly with reference to said body at will, and means independent of said last mentioned means to limit the downward movement of the v wedge slips with reference to the body.

18. A device of the character described comprising the combinationof a supporting body, a collar through. which the work may be passed, said collar being supported upon the body for vertical movement with reference thereto, wedge-slips wedging'downwardlyin' the collar to engage the work, and

means stationary with the body and inde.,

15. Adevice of thecharacter described pendent of the collar to limit downward movement of the wedge slips with the collar and with reference to the body.

, 19. A device of the character described comprising the combination of a supporting body, a supporting collar supported by the body so as tobe rotatableand axially movable with relation thereto, means whereby rotation ofsaid collar causes axial movement thereof with reference to'the body, work engaging wedge slips in the collar, and means for limiting downward .axial movement of the wedge slips relative to the body. v

comprising the combination of a supporting collar, wedge slips operatively engaging the eollar 'to wedge down therein and engage work surrounded by the slips, means for supporting the collar for vertical movement, and slip supporting means independent of the collar to limit downward movement of the wedge slips when the collar is lowered.

21. A device of theeharacter described comprising the combination of a supporting collar, wedge slips operatively engaging the collar to wedge down therein and engage work surrounded by the slips, t'he slips being normally carried by the collar and vertically movable therewith, means for supportingthe collar for vertical movement and for normally taking the weightthrust of the work through slips, and slip supporting means independent of thecollar and adapted to support the slips independently when the collaris lowered.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I- have hereunto subscribed my name this 2 day of November, 1926.

JOHN, GRANT.

20. A device of the character'described, 

